For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 21:9? 2. How does Judges 21:9 highlight the consequences of Israel's previous actions? 3. What lessons about unity can we learn from Judges 21:9? 4. How does Judges 21:9 connect to God's covenant with Israel? 5. How can we ensure our decisions align with God's will, unlike Israel's? 6. What steps can we take to avoid division within our church community? 7. Why were the tribes of Israel missing from the assembly in Judges 21:9? 8. How does Judges 21:9 reflect on the unity of the Israelite tribes? 9. What historical context explains the absence mentioned in Judges 21:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 21? 11. What is the significance of the Tribe of Naphtali? 12. In that count how many fighting men were found in Israel? Eight hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9) One million, one hundred thousand (I Chronicles 21:5) 13. What archaeological evidence, if any, supports the slaughter of Jabesh-gilead described in this chapter (Judges 21:8-12)? 14. In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands? Discussion Questions 1. How does the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin illustrate the consequences of sin and disunity among God's people?2. In what ways can we ensure that we are actively participating in and contributing to the unity of our church community? 3. How does the account of Benjamin's restoration reflect God's mercy and desire for redemption in our own lives? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' response to Jabesh-gilead's absence, and how can we apply these lessons to our involvement in church activities? 5. How can we, as leaders or members of a community, seek God's guidance to make decisions that promote healing and restoration during times of conflict?1. How does Judges 21 challenge our understanding of morality within the context of historical cultural norms? 2. What lessons can we learn about the consequences of hasty vows from the Israelites' predicament in this chapter? 3. How does the Israelites' reaction to the near extinction of the Tribe of Benjamin reflect on the value they placed on unity among the Twelve Tribes of Israel? 4. How does the ending statement of Judges 21, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit", reflect on the moral and societal challenges depicted in the book of Judges? 5. How would you have handled the dilemma faced by the Israelites after the war, given the cultural context and available options? 6. How can the actions taken by the Israelites in Judges 21 inform our understanding of decision making in desperate situations? 7. What are some of the modern-day dilemmas that might compare to the one faced by the Israelites in Judges 21, and how might they be handled differently today? 8. How does the situation in Judges 21 reflect the consequences of inter-tribal strife or in broader terms, inter-group conflicts? 9. What implications can be drawn from the Israelites' decisions for the Tribe of Benjamin in terms of conflict resolution and reconciliation? 10. How can the story in Judges 21 guide our understanding of collective responsibility? 11. If you were a leader in Israel at the time, what alternative solutions might you have proposed, and why? 12. How can Judges 21 help us navigate the complexities of upholding cultural traditions versus responding to changing circumstances? 13. In what ways can the book of Judges, particularly chapter 21, inform modern discussions on war, its aftermath, and restoration? 14. If you were part of the Tribe of Benjamin, how would you feel about the decisions made by the rest of Israel? What actions would you take? 15. How do the actions of the Israelites in this chapter inform our understanding of survival, preservation, and the lengths humans will go to ensure these? 16. If you were among the young women of Shiloh, how would you interpret the actions of the Israelites, and how would you respond? 17. How does the moral ambiguity in Judges 21 challenge our notions of 'right' and 'wrong' in the modern world? 18. How might the drastic solutions presented in Judges 21 inform our understanding of the potential consequences of conflict? 19. Given the same scenario today, how would international law address the situation? 20. How can the experiences of the Israelites in Judges 21 guide our approach to solving problems in our own communities today? Links Judges 21:9 NIVJudges 21:9 NLT Judges 21:9 ESV Judges 21:9 NASB Judges 21:9 KJV Judges 21:9 Commentaries Bible Hub |



